Batting practice apparatus



United States Patent [72] Inventors Richard S. Davis 2,017,720 10/1935Lake 273126 1023 Union National Building, Wichita, 8, 1936 Walther 7 6Kansas 67202; 2,405,313 8/1946 Martin.... 46/77 Oscar Bridge, Chandler,Oklahoma 74834 2,655,376 1 1953 ul 7 /74 [21] Appl. No. 769,6293,118,666 1/1964 Fitch 272/75 [22] Filed 1968 Primary ExaminerRichard C.Pinkham Patented 1970 Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorney-John1-1. Widdowson [54] BATTING PRACTICE APPARATUS i F1 zclmmsgmfaw g 85ABSTRACT: This invention is a batting practice apparatus U-S. p bl trotate a i a d i pattern f h i i g of 273/58 the same by a given playerwith a baseba11 bat or the like. [51] Int-Cl A631) 69/40 M particularly,this invention is a batting practice Field of Search .1 273/25, 26,pal-mus including a support means, and a ban actuator means 28, 95,95(1); 272/74 75; 47/77 connected to the support means having a ballassembly with a 6 R r d ball member connected to a cord member wherebythe ball [5 1 e I e actuator means is rotatable to achieve the desiredmomentum UNITED STATES PATENTS to the ball member for hitting the sameto achieve batting 1,441,221 1/1923 Fourcher 273/26 practice.

Patented Nov. 17, 1970 3,540,726

IKVEN'IY'JRS 2 RICHARD s. DAVIS m1 OSCAR BRIDGE HWWA ATTORNEY PatentedNov. 17, 1970 3,540,726

lNYL-Nfl IRS RICHARD s. DAVIS By OSCAR BRIDGE ATTORNEY BATTING PRACTICEAPPARATUS In the prior art, ball batting practice devices where the ballis tethered to an upstanding post are well known and have been inexistence for many years. Additionally, motorized batting practicedevices have not received popular acceptance because they are verycumbersome. heavy and awkward to handle, too complicated and costly tomake, and, further, such devices have been too susceptible to damageduring usage. Also, the prior art devices are not adjustable inoperation nor can they be readily varied as to the rotational speed andposition of the ball member by the person operating the same and,therefore, are limited in usage.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a batting practiceapparatus is provided primarily operable to rotate a ball member on theend of a cord member about an upright axis so as to place the same in adesired position for hitting by i means includes a vertical supportassembly mounted within the cylindrical support; a horizontal guideassembly secured as by a tee member to the upper end of the verticalsupport assembly; and a ball assembly connected to the horizontal guideassembly. The vertical support assembly includes a main support rodtelescopically mounted within the cylindrical support and having spaced,thereon, an actuator grip assembly and a 1 stabilizer grip assembly. Thesupport rod is formed at a central area with a laterally extendedintegral, U-shapedgrip section and having the actuator grip assemblysecured thereto. The actuator grip assembly includes a cylindrical tubeor sleeve member rotatably mounted upon the grip section between spacedstop members so that the same may be rotated about the aligned axis ofthe upper and lower sections of the main support rodpThe stabilizer gripassembly is positioned upwardly of the actuator grip assembly and isalso provided with a cylindrical sleeve member rotatably mounted thereonbetween spaced stop members in order to stabilize the support rod duringits rotation. The horizontal guide assembly includes an elongated tubemember having one end mounted within the tee member. The ball assemblyincludes a core member extended longitudinally of the tube member withits one end secured to a ring member generally in abutting engagementwith a bushing member in the tee member and extended through anotherbushing member in the outer end of. the tube member with the outermostend secured to a ball member.

Also, the cord member is provided with a pair of spaced swivel membersto permit the ball member to rotate freely so as to not have anundesirable twist in the cord member.

One object of this invention is to provide a ball practice apparatusovercoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

One further object of this invention is to provide a ball practiceapparatus which will move a ball member through space in a mannersimilar to a pitched baseball relative a stationary base having suitablemeans to retain the ball in proximity to the apparatus throwing the ballmember.

person, economical to. manufacture, simple to use, and reliable inoperation.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdiscussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the batting practice apparatus of thisinvention illustrated with an operator actuating the same to move a ballmember into a predetermined proximity for batting by a baseball player;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the batting practice apparatus of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the batting practice apparatus ofthis invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged foreshortened sectional view taken along line 4-4in FIG. 3; i

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 inFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 3;

. FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken 5 along line7-7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 inFIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 3.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specificembodiments of the new batting practice apparatus of this invention,such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the samereference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/orstructure. It is to be understood that such discussion and descriptionis not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. I

1, a batting practice apparatus, indicated generally at 12', is shown asbeing operated by an operator-player 14 to move a ball member 16 into apath adjacent a fellow baseball player 18 for striking the same in aconventional manner by a baseball bat 19 or other similar object. It isseen that the spacing of the batting practice apparatus 12 and thebaseball player 18 is such that the latter may reach out and strike atthe same so as to improve his skills in batting and hitting the ballmember 16 which is required in one of Americas favorite team sports,namely, baseball.

The batting practice apparatus 12 includes a basic support means 20having a ball actuator means 22 connected thereto. The support means 20includes a platform member 24 having an anchor assembly 25 connectedthereto. The platform member 24 is of a rectangular plate structurepreferably constructed of durable wood to be placed upon a supportingsurface 27. It is seen that the platform member 24 is of a sufficientwidth and length so as to readily support the operator 14 having theanchor assembly 25 secured adjacent an edge 29 thereof. The anchorassembly 25 includes a rectangular plate member 31 secured to the uppersurface of the platform member 24 as by bolt members 33 and having acylindrical support 35 welded thereto. Preferably, the cylindricalsupport 35 extends in a vertical axis and placed centrally of the platemember 31.

As shown in'FIG. 3, the ball actuator means 22 includes a verticalsupport assembly 37 secured as through a tee member One other object ofthis invention is to provide a batting practice apparatushaving meansfor controlling the movement of a ball member to changethe location ofthe same making it more difficult for the batter striking at the ballmember. 7

Still, one further object of this invention is to provide a battingpractice apparatus operable to move a ball member through the airwithout the requirement of external power sources whereupon the same maybe readily moved to and usable in any desired location.

Still, one further object of this'invention is to provide a battingpractice apparatus which is readily operable by one 39 to a horizontalguide assembly 41 and having a ball as-' sembly 43 operably connected tothe horizontal guide assembly 41. The vertical support assembly 37includes an upright elongated main support rod 45 having a central sec-'tion bent outwardly and laterally into a generally U-shaped grip section47 with sections of the support rod 45 above and below thegrip section47 in axial alignment. The lower end of the support rod 45 istelescopically mounted within the cylindrical support 35 and the upperend is secured as by welding to a central leg section 49 of the teemember 39. Additionally, the vertical support assembly 37 includes afirst actuator grip assembly 51 secured to the grip section 47 and anupper stabil- The actuator grip assembly 51, as shown in FIG. 6,includes a cylindrical sleeve 55 mounted about a vertical portion 57 ofthe grip section 47 and having upper and lower ends of the sleeve 55abutting stop members 58 secured as by welding to the vertical portion57. The sleeve 55 is mounted so as to be rotatable for reasons to becomeobvious. The stabilizer grip assembly 53 also includes a rotatablesleeve 60 mounted about the upper section 54 of the support rod 45 andhaving its upper and lower ends in abutting engagement with stop members63 secured as by welding to the support rod 45.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is seen that the horizontal guide assembly 41includes an elongated tube member 64 having one end threadably mountedwithin an open end of the tee member 39. It is seen that the tube member64-is of a sufficient length in order to extend one end outwardly andlaterally of the support platform 24 at all times of rotation as will beseen.

The ball assembly 43 includes a cord member 66 extended the length ofthe tube member 64 having one end secured to a ring member 68 inabutting engagement with a resilient bushing 69 mounted within theopposite open end of the tee member 39. The cord member 66 is trainedthrough the center of the tube member 64 and another resilient bushingmember 71 in the opposite end. The cord member 66 is successivelysecured to a swivel member 73; an intermediate section 75 of the cordmember 66; a second swivel member 76; and a ball connecting section 78of the cord member 66 to the ball member 16. It is seen that the swivelmembers 73 and 76 are of a conventional nature allowing the respectiveportions of the cord member 66 to rotate relative to each other whichprevents a twisting of the cord member 66 throughout its length forobvious reasons. This has proven quite necessary and beneficial inoperation of the apparatus 12. The ball member 16 is preferablyconstructed of a consistency in material and weight to a regulationbaseball member having a central hole 81 and upper and lower grommets 83to receive the cord member 66 therethrough. The outer end of the cordmember 66 is preferably tied into a knot 85 engageable with the lowergrommet 83 so as to retain the ball member 16 thereon.

In the use and operation of the batting practice apparatus 12 of thisinvention, it is seen that the support means is mounted upon the supportsurface 27 in a generally level manner whereupon the support rod 45 ofthe vertical support assembly 37 is telescopically mounted within theupright cylindrical support 35 of the anchor assembly 25. Thereupon, thebaseball player 18 places himselfa sufficient distance from the ballactuator means 12 so that the ball member 16, at its substantiallyoutermost limit of the cord member 66, is in a proper position to be hitwith the baseball bat 19. Thereupon, the operator 14 takes a centralposition upon the support platform 24 so as to provide a reaction loadto the centrifugal force of the rotating ball member 16. The operator 14thereupon places one hand upon the upper stabilizer grip assembly 53 andwith the other hand he grasps the actuator grip section 51 and rotatesthe same in a counterclockwise motion indicated as by an arrow 88 inFIG. 1. On initially starting rotation of the main support rod 45 theoperator 14 may grasp the upper ring member 68 and pull the attachedcord member 66 downwardly so as to hold the same with his hand upon thestabilizer grip assembly 53. This acts to move the cord member 66 andattached ball member 16 inwardly to the horizontal guide assembly 41 sothat the initial or starting rotational movement of the attached cordmember 66 and ball member 16 is easier to attain. Without this novelfeature of being able to vary the outward position of the ball member 16relative to the tube member 64, it is obvious that it would be timeconsuming and tedious in attempting to achieve the initial momentumofthe ball member 16.

' On reaching sufficient momentum of the rotating vertical supportassembly 37 it is obvious that the ball member 16 would continuouslyrise if being accelerated due to the centrifugal force thereupon, andwhen the same'reaches a desired height relative to the baseball player18, he may attempt to hit the same with a vigorous, conventionalswinging of the bat member 19 in order to contact the ball member 16. Onapplying an impact to the ball member 16 by the bat member 19, it isobvious that the ball member 16 would initially move at an oppositedirection substantially similar to the conventional hitting of abaseball member being pitched by a baseball pitcher. Upon the baseballplayer 18 hitting the ball member 16, the operator 14 reverses rotationof the actuator grip assembly 51 a partial turn which causes the ballmember 16 to drop and substantially cease its motion. The operator 14thereupon starts normal rotation of the main support rod 45 through theactuator grip assembly 51 in order to lift and raise the ball member 16back into its are or circle over a batting plate 89 in front of thebaseball player 18 for further hitting practice.

As another feature of this invention, it is seen that the operator 14could hold the ring member 68 within his hand grasping the stabilizergrip assembly 53 whereupon he can move the same inwardly or release thesame outwardly on approaching the baseball player 18 with the rotatingball member 16 in order to achieve. action similar to a curve ballthrown by a baseball pitcher. This would operate to efficiently andeffectively give the baseball player 18 additional practice so as tocreate baseball skill. Also, this would make the baseball player 18 keephis eye upon the ball member 16 at all times which is an importantfactor in hitting baseballs. Also, the raising and lowering of the ringmember 68 and attached cord member 66 would operate to change thevertical and horizontal position of the ball member 16 for additionalbatting skills.

it is seen that the batting practice apparatus of this inventionprovides a new and novel structure readily usable by two players withoutthe necessity of external electrical power or the like. Additionally,the batting practice apparatus is readily operable so as to achieve avariety of novel reactions such as vertical spacing, curve balls, andimmediate variation of ball speed through the operator. Although thisapparatus has been described for baseball batting practice, the samecould be used to rotate tether balls, tennis balls, etc. or other suchitems for hitting or catching to improve ones skills. Additionally, thebatting practice apparatus of this invention provides a mechanism whichis economical to manufacture, simple to operate, a substantiallymaintenance free, and of unquestionable value in attaining battingskills in a baseball player.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferredspecific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that thisdescription is intended to illustrate and not to limit the'scope of theinvention which is defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A ball propelling apparatus, comprising:

a. support means adapted to be placed upon a support surface includinga'support platform to receive an apparatus operator thereon and ananchor assembly secured to one end of said support platform;

b. ball actuator means including a vertical support assembly secured tosaid anchor assembly, a guide assembly conneeted to said verticalsupport assembly, and a ball assembly connected to said guide assembly;

c. said ball assembly having a cord member connected to said guideassembly and a ball member connected to the outer end of said cordmember and the apparatus operator rotates a portion of said verticalsupport assembly to propel said ball member about a vertical axis withthe apparatus operator providing the reaction force thereagainst by theoperators weight on said support platform;

d. said vertical support assembly including a support rod having acentrally positioned laterally extended grip section movable in acircular motion to rotate said support rod about thealigne d axis of theupper and lower sections of said rod on'opposite sides of said gripsection;

said guide assembly having a generally horiiontal tube member secured tothe upper end portion of said upper said vertical support assemblyhaving a sleeve member rotatably mounted on a vertical section of saidgrip section so as to rotate said grip section about the vertical,aligned axis of said upper and lower sections of said supsection of saidvertical support assembly by a tee 5 port rod to provide the necessaryrotation thereto, said member; vertical section movable about thealigned axis of said f. said cord member extended through said tubemember upper and lower sections ofsaid support rod;

having one end secured to a ring member to contact said d. saidstabilizer grip assembly provided with a rotatable tee member to limitmovement in one direction and the Sleeve m un d upon aid support rod andprevented opposite end of said cord member secured to said ball f 8X18]movem'enl y upper and er p members member whereby the apparatus operatormay pull on said In f whereupon the pP 9 ring member to vary theeffective length of said cord can maintain said upper and lower sectionsof said supmember relative to said vertical support assembly which PQ"rod a comm While wmtmg thc same with is desirable in starting initialrotation of said ball member sleelve mmben and to vary the actual heightand horizontal position; and Sald Buldc assembly 'PS horizontallyafimndeld g. said anchor assembly having a plate member secured to tubemember secured f we member having said Said Support l f and an uprightli dfl l Support cord member extended axially thcrethrough with one endsecured to said plate member, and said support rod secured to a ""8member "l l f ellgagemem a mounted in said cylindrical support. bushingmember mounted within said tee member and 2. A ball propelling apparatusdescribed in claim 1, the opposite end of said cord member securedbyaswivel wherein; member to said ball member whereupon the apparatus a.said support rod having a lower end rotatably mounted operator canrotate said support rod and interconnected and an upper end secured bysaid tee member to said said tube member to propel said ball memberabouta verguide assembly. a tical axis so that the same can provide abatting practice b. said upper section of said support rod provided witha stabilizer grip assembly;

